MIDDLETOWN -- The next meeting of the Greater Military Museum will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the American Hall. The public is invited to attend. Items to be discussed are a building to house the museum, fund-raising, insurance and finances.

The contact is Ron Organek at 346-5100, 511 Atkins St.

'High Notes'

CROMWELL -- Members of the New England Chamber Choir present "High Notes and High Tea XVI, An English Genius: The Music of Robert Johnson," conducted and accompanied by Richard Wm. Donohue Sunday at 4 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 183 William St., Portland. For directions, call 363-0157.

Johnson lived from about 1582 to 1633 and served as Royal Lutenist for Charles I. He also carried the title of composer for "lute and voices" and was deeply involved in stage productions, composing instrumental music for masques, and songs in dramatic style for plays by Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher and others produced by the King's Men. "High Notes and High Tea XVI" will highlight some of the music of this brilliant but lesser-known composer with works such as "Alman in D for Organ" and many solo lute songs including "Shall I Like a Hermit Dwell," "Ave Rosa Sine Spinis" and "Come Away, Hecate."

For details, contact Richard F. Donohue at 363-0157. Complete details, including directions to all concerts are available at www.NEChamberChoir.org.

'Taming of Shrew'

ESSEX -- Shakespeare for the people, as it was originally intended, comes to the Ivoryton Playhouse with the Foundation's own production of "The Taming of the Shrew."

Guilford's John Cayer and the Foundation's executive director Jacqueline Hubbard match wits, words and occasional whacks as Petruchio and Katherine in this boisterous production in the "commedia dell'arte" style with free-spirited actors playing bawdy, knockabout comedy in a play that skewers male chauvinism and women's lib, 16th-century Italian style.

Produced and directed by Jacqui Hubbard, a classically trained actor well-versed in Shakespearean nuances, the all-Connecticut cast includes Beverly Galpin of Essex as Bianca, Guilford's Bill Sorenson, David Bell and Dan Patterson, Westbrook's Don Shirer, Shane Valle from Old Lyme, Bill Molnar from Avon, Charles Merlis from West Hartford, and Nathan Peterman and Mark Bovino from Southington.

An amusing and suitable introduction to Shakespeare for junior high and high school students, special school performances will take place from Feb. 23 through 27 at 10 a.m. Student, group rates apply and there is still some space available for these morning shows. Regular performances are Feb. 27 at 8 p.m., Feb. 28 at 2 and 8 p.m., Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from the Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation at 767-7318.

Owners Program

MIDDLETOWN - The Assessor's Office is now accepting applications for individuals who are over the age of 65 or who are 100 percent disabled according to Social Security (no age requirement) that they may file for tax relief under the Owners Program. Single individuals must make less than $26,500; married individuals must make less than $32,300 -- both amounts include gross social security. Proof of income must be provided for the calendar year of 2003. The deadline to apply is May 15.

The filing period has also begun for additional benefits for veterans. The filing time is until Oct. 1, the guidelines being the same as the Owners Program.

The city of Middletown is offering a local option program for reduced taxes for those individuals who do not qualify for the state program. The income limits for this program are $31,500 for single and $37,300 for married. Proof of income for the calendar year of 2003 must be presented to the Assessor's Office prior to May 15.

For questions, call 344-3454.

Elizabeth Lyra Ross

MIDDLETOWN -- On Monday at 12:30 p.m., Middlesex Community College will be celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King's life with a musical "edutainment" by the celebrated soprano Elizabeth Lyra Ross. Ross will sing six songs interwoven with narration as to how the songs are important to Dr. King's life.

Ross explained why she refers to her program as edutainment. "Hopefully, the audience will be entertained and learn some things about Dr. King at the same time."

With a voice that has been described as "shimmering silver," Ross will sing "Oh Freedom" by James Johnson, "I Too Sing America" composed by Margaret Bonds to a poem by Langston Hughes, "Steal Away to Jesus" by Henry Burleigh, "Strange Fruit" by Lewis Allen, "The Ballad of Birmingham" by Leo Edwards, and "If I can Help Somebody" by A. Bazel Androzzo.

Originally from Detroit, Mich., Ross graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, where she sang in the Trinity Pipes, the Concert Choir and the Chapel Singers. After pursuing graduate study at the Indiana University School of Music, Ross completed her enlistment as a soloist with the United States Army Band and Chorus, during which she toured the country.

One of her highlights of the touring was a concert honoring and performing with American music legend Eubie Blake.

Ross's international career has included the roles of Tosca, Aida, Madame Butterfly, both Bess and Serena in "Porgy & Bess," among others.

Her performance in "Porgy & Bess" at the New York City Opera in 2002 was featured on PBS's "Live from Lincoln Center" series and won her an Emmy nomination.

This free program will be held in the Student Lounge.

Stroke support

CROMWELL -- The Middletown Stroke Support Group will meet Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the John M. and Theresa A. Rook Social Center at Reilly Manor Hicksville Road. The group is making a change in the agenda of itsr meetings and would like all members to vote on several important issues. All members are asked to attend.

Scholarship open

HADDAM -- The memory of John A. Bertolini, a volunteer firefighter who died in 1987 following a structural fire in Haddam, lives on through a $800 scholarship that is to be awarded to a deserving graduating high school senior. This fund is aimed at perpetuating a sense of community pride and dedication John instilled in others.

Application forms are now available through the guidance department of the Haddam-Killingworth High School; Vinal Regional Vocation Technical School; Xavier High School and Mercy High School. Residents of Haddam, Haddam Neck and Killingworth, qualify as applicants. Completed applications must be received at the respective guidance departments by April 30, 2004. No late applications will be considered.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who demonstrates leadership, character and perseverance in the face of obstacles Recipients need not be at the top of the academic ranking, but someone who demonstrates hard work and dedication to achieving goals. Selection will be based on financial need as well as the accomplishments of the applicant, particularly in the area of community service.

PORTLAND -- The Portland Women's 9-Holers is now accepting new members. For information, call Shirley Egan at 342-5181.

Farmers' Market

DEEP RIVER -- The Deep River Farmers' Market is already planning for the 2004 season. Members are seeking new farmers to join un in our second season at the new park in downtown. The market sells organic vegetables and fruit, herbs, perennials, shrubs and cut flowers, organic beef, poultry and pork, fresh farm-raised eggs, artisan breads, pastries, organic herbal products and local honey.

The Market is open every Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until noon, from Memorial Day weekend until mid-October. Call Laura Miezejeski at 526-9960, for information.

Saturday hours

EAST HADDAM -- The East Haddam Free Public Library has new Saturday hours. The library will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If there are any questions, call 873-8248.

Boston by bus

CROMWELL -- The Cromwell Recreation Department will be sponsoring a bus trip to Boston May 8. The bus will leave the Town Hall parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and go to Boston for the duck tour. This lasts 1½ hours.Participants will have from 1 to 5 p.m. on their own in Boston and the bus will leave at 5 p.m. to return home at 7:30 p.m.

The duck tour will start at the Science Center of Boston and tour the city on land. The vehicle will go into the Charles River and show the city from the water. When the tour ends, participants can either stay at the Science Center, head to Quincy Market or do anything they wish for the afternoon.

The cost includes round-trip motor coach, the duck tour and tour director: $50 for adults, $48 for children ages 12-17 years and $46 for children ages 3-11 years.Checks should be made payable to DATTCO. Seats are limited. For information, call Cromwell Recreation at 632-3467.